House prices recover after stamp duty hit August 20, 2025 House prices are rebounding from a post-April decline caused by Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ hike to stamp duty, official data has shown. The official house price index rose by 3.7 per cent in the year to June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which was higher than 2.7 per cent growth seen in May. [...]
Rachel Reeves considers ‘mansion tax’ on homes above £1.5m August 20, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking at imposing capital gains tax on the sale of houses above £1.5m as she looks to fill a £40bn hole in the public finances. The change, which would likely happen at this year’s Autumn Budget, would see higher-rate taxpayers pay 24 per cent of the value of any gain they [...]
Most millionaires envisage better life away from the UK August 19, 2025 Nearly two thirds of millionaires envisage a better quality of life outside the UK, according to a new poll that suggests a growing pessimism among the better-off. The poll of over 1,000 UK residents with a net worth of at least £1m has suggested that Brits are less positive about life at home as 60 [...]
Just how many non-doms are leaving the UK? August 19, 2025 Since the Chancellor announced her non-dom crackdown, advisers, campaign groups and economists have warned an exodus of wealthy foreigners is afoot. But after a report claimed that departures were less extreme than feared, Ali Lyon digs into the data. There are lies, damned lies, and statistics. Popularised by Mark Twain, the phrase describes people’s tendency [...]
Liquid assets: An introduction to fine wine investment August 15, 2025 Though overall global fine wine investment values are in decline, the UK market continues to grow. Over the last ten years around £570 million has been invested into British vineyards, but individuals are also increasingly investing in their own wine collections. Fine wine is now a mainstream asset for many high-net-worth investors, with 96 per [...]
Billionaire Issa brothers shrink empire ahead of blockbuster IPO August 14, 2025 The forecourts empire founded by the billionaire Issa brothers has sealed a second deal this week to sell off part of its international business as it works up to a possible blockbuster float in New York. Blackburn-headquartered EG Group has agreed to dispose of its operations in Australia to Ampol in a deal which values [...]
The UK’s IPO market is in need of pizzazz – here’s how to get it August 14, 2025 London's IPO market is struggling, but there is hope. Here's how the government can revitalise the country's capital markets.
Claire’s on the verge of collapse with over 2,000 jobs at risk August 13, 2025 Claire’s, the high street fashion accessories chain, is on the brink of collapse after revealing its intention to appoint administrators in the UK and Ireland in a move which would put over 2,000 jobs at risk. The business, which has 278 stores in the UK as well as a further 28 in Ireland, filed a [...]
Rachel Reeves told to ‘get out of the way’ ahead of Autumn Budget August 13, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been told to “let businesses get on with it and get out of the way” ahead of delivering her second Autumn Budget in the coming months. A group of 1,500 private business leaders surveyed by KPMG said the Chancellor should focus on promoting higher wages and lower costs for companies. They [...]
EG Group: Billionaire Issa brothers sell £367m Italian arm August 12, 2025 EG Group, the empire co-founded by a major investor in supermarket giant Asda, has sold its Italian division in a deal which values it at €425m (£367m). The Blackburn-headquartered group has agreed terms with a consortium of established Italian operators comprising PAD Multienergy S.p.A., Vega Carburanti S.p.A., Toil S.p.A., Dilella Invest S.p.A. and GIAP s.r.l. [...]